4 Dallas Cowboys X-factors for 2022 season
By Randy Gurzi
Dallas Cowboys X-factor No. 3: Tony Pollard, RB
123. Pick Analysis. Cowboys. Tony Pollard. player. Scouting Report. RB. 3
Every year, we hear about Ezekiel Elliott being in the best shape of his life as he prepares for a “bounce-back season.” It’s become a bit of a joke for Dallas fans at this point since they know it’s coming, and they also know what will follow — a season similar to the one prior.
Don’t take it the wrong way, because Elliott is far from a bad player. He even had 1,002 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, which was his fourth season with 1,000 yards, and has never had fewer than 979 in a season.
The problem is, he’s way too overpaid for what he does as a runner. He’s good, but being paid to be elite. This is why Dallas needs Tony Pollard more than ever.
Pollard has been the change-of-pace back for the past three seasons and he was electric in 2021. Finally getting the ball at a regular pace, Pollard rushed for 719 yards and added 337 more as a receiver. He also averaged 5.5 yards per attempt, which is no fluke as he has 5.1 for his career average.
In 2022, the Cowboys need to feed Pollard more. Elliott can continue to churn out the tough yardage, especially in the red zone, but they need to get the speedy back more opportunities to make a game-changing play.